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6 Tips to Keep Twin Toddlers Safe in Open Spaces

I have never been one for staying indoors – until I had twins. Leaving the house solo with twins has its challenges. The most basic of trips can become difficult when you have two toddlers in tow. The very idea of it is enough to keep many twin moms from leaving the house at all. Sharing is caring so I’m passing on my best tips for keeping twin toddlers safe in open spaces.

5 COMMON PROBLEMS KEEPING TWIN TODDLERS SAFE IN OPEN SPACES.

Getting them out of the car: How do you keep the first one safe while unbuckling and lifting out the second one?

Crossing the road: If one slips free from hand-holding, how do jump forward/run after them if you are still holding the other one’s hand?

Supervising play equipment: How do you stop one leaping from the top of the climbing wall while the other is trying to master the slide?

Twins on the run: What happens when they both choose to run in opposite directions at the same time?

Leaving a place: How do you deal with two children in a tantrum because they refuse to leave the park?

Leaving somewhere can catch you by surprise. Everything may have gone brilliantly, you feel like a champion, and all of a sudden your twins hit the ground kicking, screaming, and refusing to leave. I have seen a toddler tantrum in the park many times, and often the only way to get a toddler to go is to pick them up, wear an awkward grin, and make a run for the car. However, picking up two 33-pound toddlers at the same time is some feat, let alone if they are both in a strop.

6 TIPS FOR KEEPING TWIN TODDLERS SAFE IN OPEN SPACES.

Although I find this a genuine struggle myself, I can’t just leave you drowning in the trauma of keeping twin toddler safe in open spaces. I hope you are blessed with robot twins that do what they’re told and never leave your side. If you are not and are suffering like the rest of us, I pass on these words of wisdom:

Even though it’s difficult, do it. The earlier those Twinkies get used to being free from the stroller the better. If you keep them confined until they are ready for preschool, what do you think is going to happen when you do release them into the wild? They’ll be faster, that’s for sure.

Practice with another adult present. If you’re terrified to give it a go, try doing things exactly as you would on your own, with backup. A few cold runs will provide you with the confidence to go out on your own.

Use your legs. When I’m getting the second child out of the car, I put the first one stood between my legs as I lean into the car. It’s not the best barrier, but I can feel if they are making a break for it.

Sing songs and march. You might look crazy, but by making the journey across the carpark fun, your littles will be less distracted and more likely to remain holding hands.

Keep it short. I find the Twins are easier to supervise and they stick together more at the start of a visit. As confidence and curiosity build, the situation becomes gradually more exhausting. So don’t worry if you only last 20 minutes in the park. Everyone had fun, and it’s better than not leaving the house at all.

Get used to recruiting strangers. I have mentioned many times that people are obsessed with twins. That means the general public is always happy to help, so ask! If one of your twins is running towards the road, shout, “Stop that baby!”

Editor’s note: My reluctance to take my 3-year-old twins out on my own stems mainly from my worries about keeping them safe in open spaces. Thank you, Katherine, for these great tips! ~ Alison

This is a guest post by a fellow mom of multiples. If you wish to contribute and share your multiples story/ tips, please head to our Submissions page for more details! This post has been syndicated with permission.

Katherine Betts is a designer turned stay at home mom of three, including identical twin boys. Through her family lifestyle blog Twin Pickle, Katherine shares parenting tips, kids’ interior design ideas, and family-friendly recipes. She also has a passion for science and loves reporting on anything geeky when it comes to the wonders of twins.